most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe

14 of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe that will enchant you

Team YLBB

 

November 7 2024

Every year, Christmas markets are set up across Europe in bustling squares in charming cities. They attract crowds of visitors who can enjoy hot drinks, traditional dishes, all sorts of entertainment, and the friendly company of others. In 2025, you can once again enjoy the best Christmas markets in Europe. We think they're definitely worth a trip! These are the 14 most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe that you shouldn't miss. Happy holidays!

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Fancy a break from the city? 🍂 These are my favourite walking & drinks spots in the Netherlands. To be honest... I don't see myself living outside the city anytime soon, but on weekends I love getting out into nature. That's why I've created a YLBB shortlist of the most beautiful walking areas, complete with a great drinks spot nearby. My perfect Sunday? First a walk, then relaxing somewhere with a treat or a hot chocolate (or, of course, a glass of wine and bitterballen!). 📍From Lage Vuursche to the Waterleidingduinen and the Amsterdamse Bos, I share my favourites in this video. But... there are of course many more lovely places in the Netherlands where you can enjoy a drink after a walk. Which tip do you think is a must-see? 👇 Save this post to get out into nature this season or forward it to your walking date. 🍁 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #hikinginthenetherlands #drinksspot #discoveringthenetherlands #natureinthenetherlands #autumnroutes #hikingtips #dutchautumn #walks #naturewalk #weekendtips #netherlandsholiday #drinks #outdoorlife #amsterdamweekend #thingstodonetherlands #yourlbb
Forget the classic omakase experience in Amsterdam, this is something else. Hidden inside burger spot @paindemie_amsterdam and inspired by the Tokyo subway, you'll find @moyo_amsterdam. A new hotspot redefining the omakase concept. Chef @guillaumedebeer is behind this next-level concept, and it shows in every creative detail. But here O-toro and Wagyu take the stage 🥩. It's intimate, creative, and seriously one of the most exciting new openings in Amsterdam right now. Save this for your next special dinner night 🔥 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #amsterdam #amsterdamcity #amsterdamfoodguide #amsterdamfood #amsterdamtravel
The most beautiful l𝗶𝗰𝗵𝘁𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀 for your 𝗡𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 this season The days are getting shorter, the evenings longer… And honestly? I secretly think that’s one of the nicest things about this season. Because the transition from autumn to winter means: light festivals! ✨ All over the Netherlands, cities, parks and castles light up with light art, projections and installations that you’ll love to see them all. What once started with the Amsterdam Light Festival has grown into one of the most beautiful winter traditions in the country, if you ask me! Most light festivals also offer cozy hot chocolate and food stalls for something tasty to go. Perfect for a winter evening with your loved one, family, or friends. Can you picture yourself strolling past artworks that transform streets, parks, and canals into a fairytale, with a hot chocolate or mulled wine in hand? 📍From North Holland to Gelderland, I'm sharing all the tips in a comprehensive article on Your Little Black Book, featuring the best light festivals in almost every province in the Netherlands. Trust me: this is such a special outing to brighten up the dark days. P.S. I'll also have exciting news about the @lefoodwalk at the @amsterdamlightfestival on Your Little Black Book soon! Have fun planning! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #lightfestival #netherlandstips #winterouting #yourlittleblackbook #thingstodo #lightart #amsterdamlightfestival #wintervibes #dayout #romanticouting #autumndinings #gluhweinmoment #fallinthenetherlands
Looking for the hottest new spot for a date night in Amsterdam City Center? Meet @littlebonfire.ams 🔥 With its cozy vibe it's the kind of place that feels like an extension of your living room: but with much better food and wine. On the ever changing menu you'll find classics to share: from pan con tomate with anchovies, stracciatella with zucchini and peas, to crispy eggplant, vitello and sea bass with clams. Don't skip dessert: the Basque cheesecake is already my favorite. This spot is perfect for a date night at the bar or dinner with the girls. I think Little Bonfire Amsterdam is a keeper in the city center! 📍Little Bonfire Amsterdam City Center Who are you taking here first? 🖤 ​​✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #LittleBonfireAmsterdam #AmsterdamRestaurants #DateNightAmsterdam #AmsterdamCityCentre #AmsterdamHotspots #Amsterdamfoodie #Amsterdamtravel #YourLittleBlackBook

14 Most Beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe

Christmas market in Edinburgh (Scotland)

Experience the Christmas spirit in the historic city of Edinburgh, Scotland. Every year for six weeks, the Scottish capital is transformed into a festive Christmas event. On George Street, you can visit charming nativity scenes, while the East Princes Street Gardens are filled with attractions, including a Ferris wheel, and stalls. An ice rink is also located in St. Andrews Square, where you can relax with a delicious cup of hot chocolate. These locations are all close together, making everything within walking distance. Dates: November 15, 2025, to January 4, 2026 – edwinterfest.com

most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, Scotland

Eddingbourgh © Visitscotland

Christmas market in Zagreb (Croatia)

The Croatian capital goes all out for Christmas. Wooden chalets are set up in various streets in Zagreb's city center in early December, selling items such as knitted mittens and scarves, as well as sweet treats and Christmas tree decorations. Around Christmas, it's the perfect time to sample traditional specialties in Zagreb, such as apple strudel and krpice sa zeljem (pasta with cabbage), while enjoying music from the bandstand in Park Zrinjevac. Dates: November 29, 2025, to January 7, 2026 – adventzagreb.hr

most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, Zagreb

Zagreb © Yourlbb

Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market in Copenhagen (Denmark)

At Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, you can enjoy a magical adventure this Christmas. The city is decorated with beautifully decorated Christmas trees that sparkle in twinkling lights. There are also stalls selling the most delightful Christmas decorations, and fun shows are performed in the Glass Hall Theatre and the Tivoli Concert Hall. The Tivoli Youth Guard will also provide wonderful music in the gardens throughout the Christmas festivities, making the experience complete for all ages. Dates: November 14, 2025, to January 4, 2026 – tivoli.dk

Most beautiful Christmas markets Tivoli

© Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market

Christmas market in Strasbourg (France)

Visit the Marché de Noël in Strasbourg, France, and you'll be enchanted by the enormous chandeliers, thousands of twinkling lights on the church facade, and the white crystal tree. The city is abuzz with festivities, and a Christmas market has been held there annually since 1570, making it the oldest in France. Over 300 wooden chalets are set up on Place Broglie and Place du Cathedral, where you can buy a variety of products. There's also plenty to do for children, including arts and crafts workshops and a large ice rink on Place Kléber. Dates: November 26 to December 24, 2025 – noel.strasbourg.eu

most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, Strasbourg

Strasbourg ©noel.strasbourg

Most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe

Christmas market in Berlin (Germany)

Well-maintained Christmas markets are one of Germany's most famous and beloved traditions. In Berlin alone, for example, there are no fewer than 20 Christmas markets, which can be visited on various dates and in various locations. The most popular Christmas markets are located in Spandeau's old town, at Breitscheidplatz, on Landsberger Allee, and at Gendarmenmarkt. The various markets attract all kinds of visitors and make for a fun Christmas outing with the whole family or a group of friends. Dates: October 31 to December 31, 2025 – berlin.de

Most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, Berlin

© Berlin

Christmas market in Helsinki (Finland)

Helsinki, Finland, hosts Tuomaan Markkinat every year, renowned for its exquisite and stylish design. Around 130 vendors offer typically Finnish handmade goods at their stalls, including Himmeli ornaments, jewelry, wool socks, and birch and pine tar candles. Local restaurants also host pop-ups offering special menus. Or take a ride on the merry-go-round and then return to the bustling Senate Square to enjoy the warm Christmas atmosphere with the whole family. Dates: November 28 to December 22, 2025 – tuomaanmarkkinat.fi

Most beautiful Christmas markets Tuomaan

Helsinki © Tuomaan Markkinat

Christmas market in Vienna (Austria)

Vienna offers a variety of Christmas markets, and similar festivities have been held since the Middle Ages, when it was still called the December Market or "Krippenmarkt" (crib market). Today, at the Vienna Dream Christmas Market in front of City Hall, you can make Christmas cookies and candles, hear choirs sing carols, and buy seasonal gifts. At Belvedere Palace, traditional handicrafts are common, and stalls are also set up in Maria Theresienplein. The University of Vienna also participates in the Christmas celebrations, bringing a traditional Viennese atmosphere. Dates: November 14, 2025, to January 6, 2026 – wenenguide.com

Vienna ©-Osterreich-Werbung-@seplb

most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe

Christmas market in Prague (Czech Republic)

Christmas is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in Prague, where the Christmas markets boast beautiful decorations and a wonderful festive atmosphere. Enjoying mulled wine, the scents of cinnamon and cloves, and the sweet aroma of trdelnik (pastries), you can stroll through the various Christmas markets throughout the city. For example, you can go to Charles Square, the largest square in Europe, or Peace Square for all sorts of festivities. However, the largest Christmas markets are found in Old Town Square, where a huge Christmas tree, selected each year from a different region of the Czech Republic, heralds the start of Christmas. Dates: November 29, 2025, to January 6, 2026 – visitczechia.com

Most beautiful Christmas markets in Czechia

Czech Republic © visitczechia

Christmas market in Tallinn (Estonia)

The Tallinn Christmas Market, held on Town Hall Square, is the most important Christmas market in all of Estonia. It is characterized by the beautifully decorated tree, which has stood on Town Hall Square since 1441, making it the first Christmas tree ever erected in Europe. The rest of the square is decorated with other trees, ornaments, and lights, while local vendors offer Estonian Christmas dishes, such as black pudding with sauerkraut and gingerbread with hot Christmas drinks. For children, there are carousels and a varied Christmas program. Dates: November 21 to December 27, 2025 – visitestonia.com

Tallinn © visitestonia

Most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe

Christmas market in Paris (France)

If you're planning a Christmas market in Paris, known as the City of Light, you can get lost among the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and festive street markets. Around this time of year, the streets are lined with Swiss-style wooden chalets, a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Parisians themselves also thoroughly enjoy the festivities, drinking hot mulled wine, eating delicious chocolate, sausages, and cheese, and shopping late into the night. There's plenty to do, as around 15 to 20 Christmas markets usually pop up around the festive season. Dates: Mid-November to late December 2025 – parisdiscoveryguide.com

most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, Paris

© Paris

Christmas market in Budapest (Hungary)

The Budapest Christmas Market was voted the best in 2020, and you can enjoy all sorts of spectacular programs. For example, there's a concert every day, and visitors are enchanted by a light painting on the facade of St. Stephen's Basilica. The ice rink is also a favorite with both children and adults. Moreover, the nativity scene and the nearly 12-meter-high Christmas tree create an unforgettable atmosphere in this Hungarian city. Dates: 2025 dates coming soon – adventbazilika.hu

Budapest © adventbazilika

Christmas market in Antwerp (Belgium)

You don't have to travel far for a fun Christmas market, as Antwerp is transformed into a festive Christmas festival every year. Various activities are organized at Operaplein and Hendrik Conscienceplein, for example, and you can also take a ride on the Ferris wheel at Astridplein. The end-of-year fireworks are traditionally set off on the Scheldt every year, while you can enjoy the festive lights and delicious treats on offer everywhere. Dates: December 5, 2025, to January 4, 2026 – kerstmarktantwerpen.be

© Antwerp

most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe

 Christmas market in Salzburg (Austria)

Salzburg's historic Christmas market, held annually at Domplatz and Residenzplatz, is the hub of a variety of festive activities. You can also ice skate on Mozartplatz and enjoy dancing, music, and fireworks at the New Year's Eve market on December 27th. Meanwhile, various stalls offer a wide selection of lucky charms made of ceramic, wood, metal, and porcelain. There's also plenty of food available at the various candy stalls, including delicious chocolate and marzipan. Dates: November 20, 2025, to January 1, 2026 – christkindlmarkt.co.at

most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe Salzburger

Salzburg Christkindlmarkt © christkindlmarkt

Christmas market in London (England)

Finally, London's Christmas markets are definitely worth a visit. At Christmas, London literally goes crazy, illuminated by more than 300.000 lights. You can shop for the best Christmas gifts, sample all sorts of dishes, and enjoy the entertainment on offer. The South Bank riverfront, Leicester Square, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, and Greenwich, among others, are packed with stalls and activities. To experience the most of Christmas in London, you can also book a Christmas lights evening tour, taking you on a double-decker bus through London along the most beautifully decorated streets. Dates: November 14, 2025, to January 1, 2026 – visitlondon.com

London © Visit London

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